The Russian invasion of Ukraine began in the early hours of 24 February 2022, when missiles and ground forces entered Ukraine from multiple directions.
This large-scale attack marked the most significant escalation of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, following years of political and military tensions.
| Event | Date | Key Detail | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-scale invasion launch | 24 February 2022 | Missile barrages and ground incursions across north, east, and south Ukraine | Start of widespread combat and humanitarian crisis |
| Siege of Kyiv Oblast | 25 February – 2 April 2022 | Russian columns pushed toward Kyiv but were pushed back | Shift of Russian focus to Donbas and southern Ukraine |
| Battle of Mariupol | February – May 2022 | Siege of the Azovstal steel plant and port city | Heavy civilian casualties and destruction; Russian capture in May |
| Kharkiv counteroffensive | September 2022 | Ukrainian forces retake large areas in the northeast | Russian retreat from key positions near the border |
| Continued frontline moves | 2023–2024 | Ongoing attrition in Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia | Protracted war of trenches and limited territorial changes |
Roots of the 24 February 2022 Invasion
Long before 2022, Russia framed Ukraine’s westward orientation as a security threat, citing NATO enlargement and the 2014 Revolution of Dignity.
These narratives, combined with disputed historical claims about Ukrainian statehood, formed the ideological backdrop for large-scale action in 2022.
By late 2021 and early 2022, a massive military buildup along Belarusian and Russian borders signaled that invasion plans were advancing toward execution.
24 February: The First Hours and Days
On 24 February, President of Russia announced a special military operation, claiming demilitarization and denazification as objectives.
Simultaneously, missile attacks hit air defenses, command nodes, and infrastructure, while Russian troops crossed from Belarus toward Kyiv and from Crimea toward the east.
Ukrainian border guards and scattered units offered resistance, buying critical hours for the government to organize a nationwide defense effort.
Immediate Ukrainian and Global Reaction
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to flee, and martial law and general mobilization were declared across Ukraine.
Key infrastructure, including airfields and energy facilities, became targets, causing power outages and complicating civilian life.
Internationally, sanctions on Russian banks and officials, along with military aid packages, reshaped the geopolitical landscape within days.
Humanitarian and Civilian Impact
Millions of Ukrainians fled their homes in the first weeks, creating the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World World War II.
Cities like Mariupol endured prolonged sieges, with civilians facing shortages of water, food, and medical care.
Documentation of attacks on residential areas and infrastructure has been collected by international bodies and local groups for accountability and memory.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
- 24 February 2022 marks the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- Preparations and tensions had been building for months before the invasion.
- Initial Russian objectives around Kyiv failed, leading to a shift toward the Donbas and south.
- Ukrainian resistance, Western sanctions, and humanitarian fallout reshaped the conflict’s trajectory.
- Ongoing diplomatic and security discussions continue to influence regional stability.
FAQ
Reader questions
Why did Russia launch a full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022?
Russia cited concerns over NATO enlargement, the status of Russian-speaking populations, and the threat from a pro-Western Ukrainian government as reasons for launching the full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022.
What marked the beginning of the large-scale conflict between Russia and Ukraine?
The large-scale conflict began on 24 February 2022, when Russia initiated missile strikes and ground operations across multiple directions inside Ukraine.
How did Ukraine respond in the first hours of the invasion?
Ukraine declared martial law and general mobilization, while President Zelenskyy pledged to remain in the country and defend Ukrainian territory against Russian forces.
What were the immediate global consequences of the invasion?
Immediate global consequences included sweeping sanctions on Russian banks and officials, emergency military aid to Ukraine, and a sharp rise in energy and food prices worldwide.